My Top Rated Easter Drinking

January to March is a slow season for parts of the wine trade but Easter sees folk emerging from hibernation with new, exciting opportunities and wines to match.

I shall try to give you some insights into them in the weeks ahead.

More importantly, though, for most of us Easter is a four-day holiday season when more engaging things are on the agenda than reading wine blogs.

Consequently, today’s post is a brief one simply aimed at helping you out if tasty, reliable (but well-priced) wine is needed quickly.

It is pubished a day early because the discount on one of the wines expires tomorrow.

Pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to help guide you towards the specific wine being discussed.

First the red “vin du moment” – malbec

Holiday time often calls for an inexpensive, undemanding – but competently made – red like this to lubricate gatherings of family and friends where sociability (rather than wine) is the top priority.

Light, bright and uncomplicated, Asado Club Malbec (£5.25 – instead of £7.75 until 26 April – at Morrisons) provides raspberry and red plum flavours with good acidity but minimal tannin.

It combines those elements with a sage based savoury edge that is nicely sweetened by baking spice influences.

A popular choice given extra verve

Although this straightforward, everyday white certainly provides the flowery, slightly perfumed characteristics pinot grigio’s champions adore, there is very much more on offer here.

Since 2021 Finest Pinot Grigio (£6 – instead of £7 until 18 April – for Tesco Clubcard holders) is sourced from the mountainous Trentino region of Italy, its components also include green apple and pear flavours and, above all, underpinning zesty, sherbet lemon acidity. 

If you fail to buy a bottle before the offer expires, it is still pretty good value at its £7 list price.

See you again on Thursday when my usual look at current promotions in major retailers provides details of several new offers that begin this week.